ROTARY CLUB MEETING

MAY 20, 2014

    The Rotary Club of Ville Platte inducted three new members into their organization: Peggy Tate, Tony Ducote and Jeremy Ortego during their meeting today at noon at Nick’s on Main.

    Rotarian Larry Lachney gave a short orientation about the Rotary organization. Rotary has 1.2 million members worldwide. It was founded in 1905 by Attorney Paul Harris in Chicago. The purpose of the club is to promote good will, peace and service above self.

   Rotarian Dr. Jerry Veillon reported that the Ville Platte club was formed in 1928. The club was instrumental in its early years to begin Chicot State Park. Originally, the land where the park is was called Garland Swamp. During the 1930’s, with the assistance of workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps, they constructed a dam and formed the park. The local club has assisted with scholarships to LSU Eunice and Coreil Campus.

     Rotarian Leonard Glen Fontenot explained the Paul Harris Fellowships . The Rotary Foundation began in 1917 to help in poor countries to help alleviate poverty and improve health and educational opportunities. A club member becomes a Paul Harris Fellow by contributing $1000 toward Rotary Foundation. Each year, the local club financially supports two members by contributing half of that amount.

    Rotarian Dr. William Buller said the LSU Eunice scholarship fund began 20 years ago and is funded through a yearly Super Bowl pool. Each year two students are chosen from the local area to receive scholarships. A separate pool helps fund a scholarship fund for the Coreil Campus.

   Lachney explained the local club is sponsoring a Interact student club at Sacred Heart High that meets monthly during the school year.

   Rotarian Wayne Vidrine reported that the local club sponsors two students to attend Boys and Girls club each year. Also two students are chosen to attend the RYLA Youth Leadership Camp at Camp Fausse Point. This year the students are: Savanna Watts and Lance Kincaid from Sacred Heart.